Coronavirus: ‘rule of six’ to apply in England from Monday

Boris Johnson restricts gatherings in attempt to prevent second national lockdown

• Coronavirus - latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

Tough new rules that restrict gatherings to just six people could be in place until the spring to stop a winter surge of the virus, the government's chief medical officer has warned.

Prof Chris Whitty said the period between now and spring is going to be difficult" and said the public should expect the new measures to be in place for a number of months.